Update On Cousin ~ Learning A Lot
By CarolDM
@CarolDM (203410)
Nashville, Tennessee
December 5, 2022 11:05am CST
Updating you on my cousin who spent the night in the ER last night. No rooms were available at the hospital. She called this morning at 10:am to let me know she is finally being admitted.
First of all, she was not having another heart attack. What a relief. She has several things going on. They found an Aortic Aneurysm on a CT scan. I was worried all night about this finding. Not knowing the size or the location of the aneurysm. Her shoulder pain could have been an early warning sign, according to her doctor.
Finally her doctor (Cardiologist) saw her today. He said the aneurysm is small enough to just wait and watch for now. She will have periodic CT scans to watch for any signs of changing or growing larger. They can rupture at any time. How scary is that.
Thoracic aortic aneurysms usually grow slowly and often without symptoms and this makes it difficult to detect. There are some aneurysms, which will never rupture. Many of them start small and stay small and some increase in size gradually. The growth rate of an aneurysm is difficult to predict.
The exact cause of thoracic aortic aneurysm is not known, but contributing factors to the development of an aneurysm include hypertension, high cholesterol, genetics, previous heart attack, etc.
And she has Atrial Fibrillation. Her heart is racing and beating irregularly. This can happen for many reasons. Stress, heart issues, etc. The Electrophysiologist (specialized Cardiologist) shocked her heart this morning. Another scary thing to experience. Stopped her heart, then restarted it to get it back to a normal rhythm. This doctor will follow her to make sure it stays in rhythm.
Thank you to those who have asked about my cousin. It means a lot. I have been very worried about her. She seems much better today. Not as stressed since she now knows what is going on. Hopefully she will be home soon.
39 people like this
37 responses
@FourWalls (74516)
• United States
5 Dec 22
“They think.” Scares the daylights out of me, especially when it’s a loved one’s life they’re “thinking” with. Praying for her. 
5 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (94526)
• Arvada, Colorado
5 Dec 22
Sounds like she has some very good doctors. But watching and waiting is very scary with something like this. Still I suppose they know the score there.
Poor dear, I pray for her.
3 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (94526)
• Arvada, Colorado
5 Dec 22
@CarolDM Yes like you, I would have thought that urgency would have befitted that condition
2 people like this
@CarolDM (203410)
• Nashville, Tennessee
5 Dec 22
@RebeccasFarm She is resting in her room now. I just told her I hope she can rest now. She was in the ER all night. Not sure when she will go home yet.
3 people like this
@allknowing (145373)
• India
6 Dec 22
Knowing what is going on will surely reduce her stress. And it seems she is in good hands.
3 people like this
@allknowing (145373)
• India
6 Dec 22
@CarolDM I have some numbness in my feet and a loaded feeling in the thighs when I stand for long. The doctor asked for a Dopler ultrasound test - a test that checks blood flow - no issues there I am wondering if it is my nerves that does that. Fed up of consulting doctors.
2 people like this
@CarolDM (203410)
• Nashville, Tennessee
6 Dec 22
@allknowing I go to the doctor if I feel the need. And reputable doctors only. Take care.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (77507)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
5 Dec 22
The important thing is that she's getting it taken care of and didn't wait. Heart issues are no joke and it's good to know she's being taken seriously.
3 people like this
@kaylachan (77507)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
5 Dec 22
@CarolDM If she wants to live, she had better.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203410)
• Nashville, Tennessee
5 Dec 22
@kaylachan I keep telling her that.
3 people like this
@jobelbojel (36865)
• Philippines
6 Dec 22
I believe she has a good doctor. Hoping and praying that she is in good hands with the care of her doctor.
2 people like this
@GreatMartin (23670)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
5 Dec 22
I have lived with AFib for 22 years that I know of--have had 2 aortic valves replaced--and I'm still here!!
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (147765)
• United States
5 Dec 22
Thank you for the update. I'm sorry she has so many problems and hope she is out of the hospital quickly and feeling much better.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (115835)
• Marion, Ohio
6 Dec 22
Glad she is feeling better. Hope nothing is too serious. They now know what to watch
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (84796)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
5 Dec 22
I hope she will be back on her feet again soon and her problems can be corrected, I will keep her in my prayers.
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23409)
• United Kingdom
6 Dec 22
What a worrying time for you all. Now she is on the radar they should keep a close eye on her. Try not to stress yourself out about it. I hope that she remains well & you too!
2 people like this
@Dena91 (16934)
• United States
5 Dec 22
I am glad the doctors were able to find out all that was going on with your cousin. My Pop Pop had an aortic aneurysm which never gave him any trouble. The doctor just kept his eye on it. I've known people who have had to have their hearts shocked back into rhythm. I hope she continues to get better. I am sure you feel better now that you know what is going on with her.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (473971)
• Switzerland
6 Dec 22
I am glad that it was not a hart attack. My husband has regular CT scans because he has an aortic aneurysm that has slowly grown until a size that is now dangerous. He has no symptoms at all, it was discovered several years ago during another test.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203410)
• Nashville, Tennessee
12 Dec 22
Thanks, me too. She is finally learning a lot from her home health nurse that comes twice a week. She also has cardiac rehab starting this week. That will help getting her into exercise programs and keeping a track of her vitals before and after exercising.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (84610)
• United States
5 Dec 22
That is scary to hear about your cousin. Interesting information about her aneurysm all of which I didn't know. I hope she is OK and that it doesn't grow or rupture
Certainly is a scary thing to find out
2 people like this
@moffittjc (124240)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 Dec 22
Wow, your poor cousin, she surely has a lot of things going on in her body at once. I hope she is in good hands with her medical team and they can keep her healthy, alive and kicking. Definitely very stressful news, but like you said, now that she knows what is going on the necessary steps can be taken to help her manage and deal with the issues.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (124240)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 Dec 22
@CarolDM I hope she follows up on everything recommended for her, and keeps a positive, upbeat demeanor throughout.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203410)
• Nashville, Tennessee
6 Dec 22
@moffittjc Thanks, I do as well. I will encourage her as often as I can.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78856)
• East Tawas, Michigan
5 Dec 22
My grandma had an Aortic Aneurysm and she lived to be 91:) As you mentioned, they can start small and get bigger as time passes. They told Grandma that it could rupture at any time, which didn't faze her. It never did rupture, but she had awful back aches from this condition.
2 people like this
@oahuwriter (26777)
• United States
6 Dec 22
Good, doctor, is taking good care of your cousin. Wish she had quick hospitalizations when & if needed. Poor thing. Her Mother and you take care too. Holy Christ, help all of you to with everything, thank you Holy Christ, amen. You're welcome in advance for prayers.
2 people like this
